genocide

[ jen-uh-sahyd ]

noun

1. the deliberate and systematic extermination of a national, racial, political, or cultural group.

genocide

/ ˈdʒɛnəʊˌsaɪd /

noun

1. the policy of deliberately killing a nationality or ethnic group

genocide

1. The deliberate destruction of an entire race or nation. The Holocaust conducted by the Nazis in Germany and the Rwandan genocide are examples of attempts at genocide.

Derived Forms

• ˌgenoˈcidal, adjective

Other Words From

• geno·cidal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of genocide¹

First recorded in 1940–45; from Greek géno(s) “race” + -cide

Word History and Origins

Origin of genocide¹

C20: from geno-, from Greek genos race + -cide

Example Sentences

He pointed to “White Genocide.”

From Salon

“We do not want our head of state honouring a country that commits genocide,” said LFI deputy David Guiraud.

From BBC

Israel has denied allegations of genocide as baseless and grossly distorted.

From BBC

This formulation equates immigration with genocide, which logically invites genocidal violence in response, and has been cited in mass murders across the globe.

From Salon

“People are heartbroken over the ongoing destruction and massacres happening back home. The Gaza genocide has been going on for over a year now, and the Lebanon war started a couple months ago. It’s fresh, and people are devastated,” she said.

From Slate

Related Words

• carnage
• mass murder
• massacre
• slaughter